Eastern Conference Recaps, March 14: Bradley Beal Led Washington Wizards Past Detroit Pistons

Bradley Beal led the Washington Wizards with 36 points

The Washington Wizards saw an easy opportunity to snap a three-game losing streak.

Bradley Beal scored 36 points to lead them to a 117-97 victory against the NBA-worst Detroit Pistons. The win moved the Wizards percentage points ahead of the Chicago Bulls for the last spot in the play-in tournament.

“It's up to us. We could kind of control our own destiny,” Beal said. “I know it starts with me, so I just make sure I'm locked in, make sure I'm ready to go and make sure guys are ready to go too and understand that every game is important, every possession is important.”

Kristaps Porzingis had 18 points and Corey Kispert had 16. Killian Hayes led the Pistons with 20 points and Rodney McGruder had 16.

NEXT WIZARDS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Apr. 7 in Washington

NEXT PISTONS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Mar. 19 in Detroit

OTHER NOTES:

-The Toronto Raptors scored a franchise-record 49 points in the first quarter to gain a 125-110 victory against the Denver Nuggets. Fred VanVleet led the way with 36 points and O.G. Anunoby had 24. Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 28 points and Michael Porter had 23.

NEXT RAPTORS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Mar. 28 in Toronto

-With Donovan Mitchell sidelined for rest, Evan Mobley’s 26 points led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 120-104 victory against the Charlotte Hornets. It was the second straight time they defeated the Hornets. Caris LeVert had 22 points while Cedi Osman had 24 off the bench.

Kelly Oubre led the Hornets with 28 points and Terry Rozier had 22.

-The Oklahoma City Thunder rallied back from a 14-point deficit in the first half to take a 121-107 victory against the Brooklyn Nets. After being sidelined a game to rest, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 and Luguentz Dort had 24. Josh Giddey had 15 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, his fourth triple-double of the season.

Mikal Bridges led the Nets with 34 points and Cameron Johnson had 23.

NEXT NETS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Mar. 25 at Miami

-The San Antonio Spurs recorded a franchise-high 22 3-pointers to secure a 132-114 victory against the Orlando Magic. Rookie Jeremy Sochan led the Spurs with 29 points and 11 rebounds, his second career double-double. Zach Collins had 25 points and Doug McDermott led all reserves with 15.

Rookie Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 27 points and Wendell Carter had 16 points and 10 rebounds.

NEXT MAGIC GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Apr. 9 at Miami

Cory Nelson is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson. You can also check out his personal blog HERE.